Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Because of your numerous requests to blog about the Charity game, here it is. But first, let me thank all those who watched the Charity game LIVE at the Araneta and also at home. Of course, it would have been better if you were there live because your ticket purchase would have gone to the victims of the typhoons. Nevertheless, thank you for the support!

When we first heard that we will be playing the Powerade team, we were excited but at the same time somewhat unsure. We're a bunch of players who just finished college (some are still playing for their universities) who will be going up against the legends of Philippine basketball. Right away i thought about who i will be guarding, it was James Yap, a former MVP. I've always enjoyed watching him play. I admire his jumpshots and creativity in making baskets in almost every way. And then there was Willie Miller, Dillinger, Norwood and Baguio. Pretty star-studded.

The last time I played against an RP team was in 2007 when i was still playing for Ateneo. The RP team then was coached by Chot Reyes. We were blown-out by almost 40 points in two quarters. Not a very good memory.

Although it was a charity exhibition game, both teams surely wanted to win. The Gilas team wanted to make a statement that we can compete internationally and that we should be the ones competing abroad now that the Powerade team has served their duty in the last FIBA Asia Champions Cup in August. On the other hand, i'm sure the Powerade team wanted to prove that they are indeed the strongest team in the country today.

Obviously, Powerade didn't really have the chance to brush up on their plays because the players are all practicing with their mother squads in the PBA. Whereas in the Gilas team, at least 6 or 7 of us were able to train regularly for a few months now until the UAAP players (Ababou, Cawaling, Ramos) joined us just last week. But that's exactly the point of the Smart Gilas program: to come up with a national team that trains together all year round in preparation for international competitions.

I think the result of the game yesterday (for those who didn't watch, Gilas won by 29) just vindicates how important playing a team game is compared to doing it individually. I will admit that in terms of individual skill/technique, the Gilas players are still lagging behind to equal that of the Powerade players. One on one, i don't think JV Casio/Barocca can match up with Willie Miller. Cawaling, Ababou and I cannot match up one on one with James Yap either. All the more Ballesteros and Japeth cannot match up with Asi Taulava, Sonny Thoss and Kirby Raymundo. The only reason why we were able to emerge victorious against them yesterday was because of the 'system' of Coach Rajko Toroman. Even defensively, there are strict rules to be followed. Offensively, there's a lot of movement going-on. Lots of screening, cutting and passing, all within the playbook of Coach T. I'm trying not to make it too technical for those who don't really follow basketball . But simply put, there's a strict system that we follow which entails a lot of discipline and paying attention to details. On the other side, Team Powerade had their own sets of plays, which i felt lacked the continuity and mastery. The plays were broken down and ended in a one on one situation. It's definitely no walk in the park for James Yap / Willie Miller to beat 5 players. At times, it broke down to a two-man game with ball screens and hand-offs. I think I heard Quinito Henson mention this as well when i watched the replay of the game, team game vs individual talent.

At the start of the game, we were a bit rusty and kind off starstruck with our opponents which led to many turnovers and bad shots. But slowly, we were able to get into the rhythm of the game.

I'm just very grateful to be given this chance to play under Coach T. What a learning experience!! Like what i said in a previous blog entry, i believe i made the best choice in this decision to play with Smart Gilas under Coach T. I cannot imagine myself playing under another coach or system at this moment. How i wish that Philippine basketball can evolve and adopt his European style and stop copying the NBA, so that we can be competitive internationally. Look how Lebanon, Jordan and Iran (which Coach T led to the Olympics) are now overtaking the old Asian powerhouses like Korea, Philippines, etc. Who would have thought that even China would be blown out by Iran in the Finals game of the FIBA Asia Championships? Sometimes, we just have to lower our pride and egos if we sincerely want to become better. Not necessarily in basketball, but in any facet of our lives.

This is just the beginning of our long journey towards 2011. Thank you to all those who continue to support RP Smart Gilas and I pray that the divisions will cease to exist in Philippine basketball that hinder our country from reaching its full potential.

45 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Thanks for the Blog Chris. This is the first time I have been diverted to your blog and now I know why you are so popular. You are an intelligent kid and I am very proud of what you are doing in serving our country. I am a Filipino living and working here in the US but I still watch and follow the development of our national team SMART gilas. Please keep us abreast of your opinions as I really look forward to them. I love what the SBP is doing which BAP should have done 10 years ago. My dream is for the Philippines to regain its top 3 place in Asia and probably even beyond with the way you guys are playing. Please introduce some players to us who are not that familiar. Do you have insider knowledge of Junmar Fajardo and when he will finally join the team ? What about comparing Aldrech Ramos and Jason Ballesteros, their strenghts and weaknesses . . .Just curious about your opinion of them. Thanks for your blogs - Allanboy of New York

I believe in your team and your coach Chris! That's why Im more excited to watch 2012 Olympics =D I cant wait to watch the Philippine basketball team play in the Olympics! I know that is your team's ultimate goal.

Anyhoos, I really dont know that much technical stuff in basketball. Im learning from you though. And same as you, I want Philippines to be recognized around the globe in basketball. After all, unlike UK, Italy etc which are football countries, we're known to be a basketball countries.

I hope Philippine basketball would improve and evolve to be competitive globally and wont be left behind.

My prayers are always with your team so that you'd get that slot for the Olympics. It's every Filipino's wish! =)

1st? haha Anyway nice game. Before the game I was hoping that you'll crush Powerade... Lo and behold it happened. Congratulations, but I guess Smart Gilas still isn't satisfied since the goal really is 2012. I still think the London Olympics is a longshot but I'm pretty sure this team has a much better chance than a PBA backed team. Good Luck!

i was inside the dome that great day... cheering out for the smart-gilas and a good game for both teams and well, your team truly delivered good shots. The team had high stamina until the end that somehow made a big difference along with the technicalities that Coach Toroman employed. Barroca played a great game though he seem a bit tensed at the start especially with Asi beating him with his humongous built. Galeng. Anyway, looking forward to another great game for the team. Thursday will be game 3 for Ateneo-UE. One big fight!

The charity game gave us a glimpse of what the Gilas team can do. I'm impressed with the team's fluidity (even if there are still lots of work to be done) on both ends of the floor. It would be fun to watch you guys in a year or two when all of you get stronger and become better shooters and tougher defenders. I'm sure Gilas can pull off a big surprise at the next FIBA-ASIA.

Can't wait to see the entire team play! (With Slaughter, Lee, Lutz, etc.) And I hope Gilas can add Al-hussaini soon as well.

Hi chris! i really wanted to watch but i have school and im waiting for the replay! where and when? tj manotoc tweeted last night and he said the reply was yesterday at 8 pm on balls channel 34 but i waited and there is no replay:( hope you could give us the link or the time of the replay:) THANKS!

Before I comment about your entry, I wanna congratulate you and Smart Gilas for a job well done. Wow! A huge 29 point win over the Powerade, that's really amazing.

Very well said Chris. Yeah, let's give it to Coach Toroman. His system really dominated in that game. Thumbs up to him and his coaching ability. Now I know how Iran became so competitive internationally. I hope too that Philipine basketball adopts this system. As for the players of Gilas, everyone did a great job, everyone contributed in that win. That's what teamwork is all about.

Congrats again Chris and to Smart Gilas. I heard that Gilas will be a guest team in the coming PBA conference, well good luck to the team. I'll continue my support and pray for the team's success. We Believe!!! ^_^

awesome game chris! no one thought you're gonna beat the powerade team but great job! i only watched on TV! it's been a year since i saw you play! i missed you! hope you guys will continue to improve and make our countrymen proud! god bless.. one big fight!!

What a way to beat the best player of our country, actually i expect the win for gilas but what suprised me as the way you beat them, what a statement! you guys have really bright future and from what coach toroman said the team hasn't yet reach it's full potential and there's a lot of work to be done on this team, plus the there will be more addition in the coming years, i wish you good luck and I have faith in you keep it up and you always have my support

Just wanna say that Smart Gilas RP team is really great at least, it gives motivation and strategy of this game against Powerade RP team. You've really make it to the top. I really continue to pray and support you in reaching one ultimate goal, to play for our country in the next international games especially the Olympics.Also, I'm happy for you to play as guest team in the PBA Philippine Cup, so excited to watch it...

Finally, let me bring you a simple words of encouragement just for you: The key to happiness is having dreams. The key to success is making your dreams come true.

Congratulations! I now have something to look forward to. I stopped watching the PBA when people started praising Mark Caguioa. He's a ballhog who just like to dribble and shoot. I'm a Ginebra fan, but, I'm a basketball fan first and foremost.Teach them that Basketball is a team sport.

I was there LIVE! (I believe you saw me..) And I really enjoyed the game! It was full of excitement.. I agree with what you said that though it was only an exhibition game, both teams really wanted to win and it showed.. It wasn't 'boring' at all.. Actually, there are instances wherein I find myself standing up and cheering my heart out.. hehe! Well, that's a good sign isn't it? I loooooved how all you guys played.. Though medyo naharass ka nga lang at bantay sarado.. hehe.. :D

Of course, since the game started, I'm rooting for the SMART GILAS team.. Siyempre, andun ka and majority ng players niyo e from FEU including Andy Barroca, who is also my idol.. :)

Saludo ako sa inyo na naglaro for the benefit of the victims of typhoon Ondoy.. Astig kayo! May the good lord bless you all even more.. ;)

When I saw team POWERADE and GILAS on the court for warm-ups, it was so clear that they are beefed up... They were so big and they are loaded with superstars and some were once the greatest player in the land like willie, James and Asi...

Another thing I think that help you guys is your confidence and determination. Ang laki-laki nila na parang mga younger brothers lang nila kayo but you guys were able to match what they can do... Kahit nga si Asi e hirap na hirap knowing that he is behemoth beneath the ring. Medyo nawalan kasi sila ng sistema as what you have mentioned that they are busy with their mother teams... Imagine, +17 ang Gilas in the assist department manifested by those flashy alley-oop plays...

This justs proves that SBP's program together with coach Rajko's system is quite gaining acknowledgement from the basketball community kahit sa maga nanonood... You guys have proven it wrong na the Gilas program was just a "DREAM". You guys turned it into "REALITY". Bigger guys na lang ang kulang and im sure you'll go a long way in baketball....

Thank you for the entry..I can see from that charity game the system of coach T...I admire the team coordination..the smart gilas team is definitely the future of Philippine basketball...make it all the way to the London olympics...

Congratulations to the ADMU blue eagles for bagging another championship crown!!!

i have been really busy lately so i was not able to write a comment in your blog entries. but despite my busy schedule, i still find time to read your blog (naks!)

to tell you frankly, i was nervous to see you guys play against the RP Powerade Team. My mom used to watch them on tv during the FIBA-Asia championship. I know they could beat you guys up if they wanted to and produce unnecessary fouls that could hurt you guys. Don't get me wrong here, im not saying they are playing dirty inside the court, its just that they can, if they want to... Anyway, the height and built advantage are obvious! But i know you guys can pull it off. Not that I don't trust the team captain (ehem) but i have not seen you guys play yet so i was not expecting that you will beat them by more than 10 points. (no offense)

so there i was seating at our living room with my mom and watching every move that you guys make. i happen to have 2 channels that showed a delayed telecast of the game, through BTV and CS9 which i interchange often.

i looked closely as to how you passed the ball to your teammates and i am amazed as how these guys caught the ball, managed to do some moves in order to keep possession, then turn these passes into points! the game was so exciting because you can see how these two teams play against each other for the first time. it is a huge deal because both the Powerade and Smart-Gilas are representing the country. I was also excited to see Jayvee Casio play again (ANIMO LA SALLE!)

i remember i asked you what's the difference between Smart-Gilas vs. RP Powerade during the basketball clinic (which you answered very well). i didn't care much about the rivalry that time but what i wanted to hear it to you first hand because i was wondering why some people are bringing the team down (see: probe team documentary). now that everybody saw how you guys played during the charity game, i wonder what those guys think about the team now...

yes, biased na ako kung biased. but i have not seen any report in the papers about you guys beating the RP powerade team. was there a channel who actually reported about it? there might be someone, somewhere who reported your victory but i wonder why it was not a big news. yes, its a charity game and the score didn't matter much but isn't it worth reporting?

so going back, why did smart-gilas won over powerade? its like the question, "why did ateneo beat la salle in 2008?" its because of guys like you chris who are not only talented and has the values of a true athlete, its about working hard, teamwork and FAITH.

evening.my friends watched the game.they were in the front seats and they told me suplado ka raw kasi one of them was calling your name and ni hindi ka raw tumingin. Hindi naman ako makapaniwala kasi nakakapagpapicture nga yung iba sayo when you were still playing ball for Ateneo. Siguro seryoso ka lng maxado dun sa game and besides the place is just heated up lalo na kung maganda ung game so she probably shouldn't expect to be noticed by you that time. Well anyway, I really wasn't surprised that you defeated the PBA team. Coach T is just a great coach to bring out the best among you guys and put it all together for the team. Sabi ko nga sa kanila, no wonder the gilas won because they're coach is just awesome.